Development of DYNAMIX Policy Mixes

Citation: Ekvall, T., Elander, M., Umpfenbach, K., Hirschnitz-Garbers, M., Hudson, C., Wunder, S., Nesbit, M., Keenleyside, C., Mazza, L., Russi, D., Tucker, G., Underwood, E., Withana, S., Bicket, M., Vanner, R., Kong, M.A., Tan, A., Bigano, A., Eboli, F., Gaska, J., Śniegocki, A. (2016): Development of DYNAMIX Policy Mixes – Deliverable D4.2, revised version. Gothenburg, Sweden: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

This report documents the development of the initial dynamic policy mixes that were developed for assessment in the DYNAMIX project. The policy mixes were designed within three different policy areas: overarching policy, land-use and food, and metals and other materials. The policy areas were selected to address absolute decoupling in general and, specifically, the DYNAMIX targets related to the use of virgin metals, the use of arable land and freshwater, the input of the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, and emissions of greenhouse gases (please see the Common Approach, http://dynamix-project.eu/how-will-we-know-if-absolute-decoupling-has-been-achieved-common-approach-dynamix).

Each policy mix was developed within a separate author team, using a common methodological framework that utilize previous findings in the project. Specific drivers and barriers for resource use and resource efficiency are discussed in each policy area. Specific policy objectives and targets are also discussed before the actual policy mix is presented. Each policy mix includes a set of key instruments, which can be embedded in a wider set of supporting and complementary policy instruments. All key instruments are described in the report through responses to a set of predefined questions.

The overarching mix includes a broad variety of key instruments. The land-use policy mix emphasizes five instruments to improve food production through, for example, revisions of already existing policy documents. It also includes three instruments to influence the food consumption and food waste. The policy mix on metals and other materials primarily aims at reducing the use of virgin metals through increased recycling, increased material efficiency and environmentally justified material substitution. To avoid simply shifting of burdens, it includes several instruments of an overarching character.